Best competitive commander

[Karrthus]

Animar is like a multicolor Omnath. I really like him, but I feel he is strong without being broken. Reduced cost is not broken, eliminating cost completely is broken.

Animar can be stupid good. I've got eldrazi deck with him as the legend. When drop a bunch of mana dorks the turn after you drop animar it's not very fun for your opponent. Especially when turn after you start dropping eldrazi. This deck makes me want Emrakal unbanned.

[Keyeto]

Animar is like a multicolor Omnath. I really like him, but I feel he is strong without being broken. Reduced cost is not broken, eliminating cost completely is broken.

I agree 100%. I fight against Animar more than any other commander (other than Ghave, possibly) and its not too hard to ruin the strategy. If he gets going, it's awesome, but I can't even count how many times {Capsize} has left him with a weak field, and a bunch of high cost cards that just sit in the hand for a while.

Don't get me wrong, he can be a powerhouse. His strategy is very "obvious" and because of that, is relatively easy to adapt to. Still love him as a commander though!

[IntoFire]

Maybe a mono blue counter deck with  {Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir} as commander?

[Stoneco1d869]

Animar is like a multicolor Omnath. I really like him, but I feel he is strong without being broken. Reduced cost is not broken, eliminating cost completely is broken.

I agree 100%. I fight against Animar more than any other commander (other than Ghave, possibly) and its not too hard to ruin the strategy. If he gets going, it's awesome, but I can't even count how many times {Capsize} has left him with a weak field, and a bunch of high cost cards that just sit in the hand for a while.

Don't get me wrong, he can be a powerhouse. His strategy is very "obvious" and because of that, is relatively easy to adapt to. Still love him as a commander though!

I have not played a broken version of {Zur} nor do I play one so I guess it's hard for me to see how he is that different than the other powerful commanders. I guess I feel they all have answers, even {Zur}.

Animar with bounce effects and ETB like {peregrine drake} {palichron} leave for countless infinite combos plus the casting of free creatures and finishers such as {omniscience}. Now yes if you can remove him, great, but the same could be said for {Zur}.

[Stoneco1d869]

For example search "Animar Creature Smash" and you will see what I mean.

[Keyeto]

True, but to be fair, any deck with blue in it can abuse Palinchron's infinite mana combos, not just Animar. An the thig about Zur is, he protects himself immediately, so there's no bouncing him. {Diplomatic Immunity} or {Vanishing} followed by {Solitary Confinement}, {Necropotence}, {Greater Auramancy}, {Mana Vortex}, the list goes on. Animar is good, but he can't lock everyone out of the game within two turns of hitting the field, and that's assuming you don't cast any spells before Zur. He's just a monster. Throw a bunch of counterspells in the mix, and bam. You have a really angry playgroup.

Like I said, don't get me wrong, as Animar is a great general (and one of my favorites) but Zur is just ridiculously easy to abuse.

[Wsuryanjeska]

I feel as though you are all a bit too up on {Zur the enchanter}'s jock....

Once you really get serious about EDH, you come to the realization that no general is really too threatening. My EDH deck runs so many {wrath of god} type cards and permanent general removal like {spin into myth}, {Zur} hardly ever strikes fear into my eyes.

[Stoneco1d869]

He still has to hit the field, last a turn, swing and hope no spell or creature can kill him. You are correct in that a few correct pieces and the game is an absolute lock down, but as you and others have stated, you expect that from Zur.

I guess I think it depends on the game dynamic. 1v1 he can beast, but if a playgroup(3+) allows him to win by beating everyone, than they were doing something wrong. I see him somewhat like Kaalia in that you always have to respect him and assume it has the potential to be the most powerful deck on the field.  If you do that, than he is likely targeted early and often slowing him down tremendously.

[Stoneco1d869]

I feel as though you are all a bit too up on {Zur the enchanter}'s jock....

Once you really get serious about EDH, you come to the realization that no general is really too threatening. My EDH deck runs so many {wrath of god} type cards and permanent general removal like {spin into myth}, {Zur} hardly ever strikes fear into my eyes.

This is what I was getting at. EDH has so many options and answers for everything.

[Keyeto]

Of course, he's not invincible. Info believe he is the most threatening general out there. The fact is, within a few turns, a player can easily have Zur out with {Vanishing} on him. At that point, he's literally untouchable. Even if someone manages to wrath or find spot removal in their 100 card deck, it doesn't matter, he'll just phase out. And that's another point. The opposing players have to rely on drawing an answer (which quite possibly could get countered), Zur doesn't. He has the ability to tutor any answer to any deck.

I certainly won't go as far as to say he's unbeatable, but I think out of all the generals, he's certainly the easiest to abuse/lock others out if the game.

[Stoneco1d869]

Of course, he's not invincible. Info believe he is the most threatening general out there. The fact is, within a few turns, a player can easily have Zur out with {Vanishing} on him. At that point, he's literally untouchable. Even if someone manages to wrath or find spot removal in their 100 card deck, it doesn't matter, he'll just phase out. And that's another point. The opposing players have to rely on drawing an answer (which quite possibly could get countered), Zur doesn't. He has the ability to tutor any answer to any deck.

I certainly won't go as far as to say he's unbeatable, but I think out of all the generals, he's certainly the easiest to abuse/lock others out if the game.

I do agree he is easy to abuse in that it takes no skill if you toss in  {Erayo, Soratami Ascendant} and  {Rule of Law}, but I still dislike mono colored decks more:)

[Keyeto]

Of course, he's not invincible. Info believe he is the most threatening general out there. The fact is, within a few turns, a player can easily have Zur out with {Vanishing} on him. At that point, he's literally untouchable. Even if someone manages to wrath or find spot removal in their 100 card deck, it doesn't matter, he'll just phase out. And that's another point. The opposing players have to rely on drawing an answer (which quite possibly could get countered), Zur doesn't. He has the ability to tutor any answer to any deck.

I certainly won't go as far as to say he's unbeatable, but I think out of all the generals, he's certainly the easiest to abuse/lock others out if the game.

I do agree he is easy to abuse in that it takes no skill if you toss in  {Erayo, Soratami Ascendant} and  {Rule of Law}, but I still dislike mono colored decks more:)

Mono blue is a nightmare lol
My favorite moment ever playing, was accidentally reminding my opponent of his {Erayo, Soratami Ascendant} and {Arcane Laboratory} combo. Next turn, he busted it out, and I've hated mono blue ever since.

[Stoneco1d869]

I agree, mono is rough and they rarely get mana screwed.

[Wackaman9001]

If they banhammered {trade secrets} because a few people abused it, why wont they ban Kaalia and zur? At the least they could make them no longer able to be commanders

[Bman0121]

Can we expect a ban hammer on Zur as more enchantments get printed?

Will  {Kaalia of the Vast} be banned with all these new demons angels and dragons being printed